AFL-CIO Blog

Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: Masters, Mates & Pilots

Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: Masters, Mates & Pilots Next up in our series that takes a deeper look at each of our affiliates is our newest member union, Masters, Mates & Pilots. Name of Union: International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots (MM&P) Mission: To protect the rights and working conditions of members of the seagoing maritime community. Current Leadership of Union: Donald Marcus serves as international president of MM&P and Donald Josberger as international secretary-treasurer. MM&P also has eight vice presidents: Thomas Larkin (Offshore, Atlantic Ports), Jeremy Hope (Offshore, Gulf Ports and Government Affairs), J. Lars Turner (Offshore, Pacific Ports), Tim Saffle (United Inland Group–Pacific Maritime Region), Randall Rockwood (Federal Employees Membership Group), George Quick (Pilots Membership Group), Tom Bell (United Inland Group–Great Lakes & Gulf) and Michael Riordan (Atlantic Maritime Group). Number of Members: 5,500. Members Work As: Licensed deck officers on U.S.-flag commercial vessels sailing offshore, on the inland waterways, on civilian-crewed ships in the government fleet and for the state ferry systems in Alaska and Washington; mariners who work on tug, ferry and harbor tour vessels in New York Harbor, throughout the Northeast and on the Pacific Coast; licensed and unlicensed mariners who work on dredges; state pilots; marine engineers; unlicensed seafarers; and maritime industry shore-side clerical and service workers. Industries Represented: The U.S. maritime industry. History: On June 28, 1880, a boiler exploded on the side paddle-wheeler Seawanhaka in New York Harbor. Captain Charles P. Smith maneuvered the ship to shallow waters so passengers could escape safely. While his heroism would later be recognized, local politicians initially sought to make him the scapegoat for the fire. Other pilots and captains were so outraged, they formed the committee that would become the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots. Current Campaigns/Community Efforts: MM&P Political Contribution Fund, MM&P Federal Credit Union, Maritime Institute of Technology & Graduate Studies (MITAGS), The Wheelhouse Weekly newsletter and The Master, Mate & Pilot magazine. Learn More: Website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram. Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 01/15/2021 - 15:08 — Jan 15

Get to Know the AFL-CIO's Affiliates

Get to Know the AFL-CIO's Affiliates AFL-CIO Starting last year, AFL-CIO has been profiling each of our affiliates. Let's take a look back at the profiles we've already published. Check back as the series moves along to read more affiliate profiles:

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 01/15/2021 - 15:00 — Jan 15

Service + Solidarity Spotlight: NATCA Members Guide First Flights Carrying COVID-19 Vaccine

Service + Solidarity Spotlight: NATCA Members Guide First Flights Carrying COVID-19 Vaccine Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) members in the Michigan cities of Lansing and Grand Rapids were proud last month to control the two aircraft containing the first shipments of COVID-19 vaccines to be distributed throughout the United States. The UPS-transported vaccines were moved by semitrucks, escorted by U.S. marshals, from the Pfizer manufacturing and storage facility in Portage, Michigan, on Dec. 13. They departed Lansing and headed to the UPS WorldPort at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. “All NATCA members at [Lansing airport] were honored to be a part of this country’s history and are looking forward to being able to provide quality service to all future shipments out of [Lansing],” said Zac Ploch, NATCA facility representative. Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 01/15/2021 - 10:03 Tags: Community Service, COVID-19 — Jan 15

Service + Solidarity Spotlight: IBEW Members Integral to Production and Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines

Service + Solidarity Spotlight: IBEW Members Integral to Production and Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. Almost one year after the first cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in North America, vaccines from Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna are on the verge of becoming widely available. And while members of the Electrical Workers (IBEW) are not the scientists creating those vaccines, they have been nearly as integral to the discovery, production and distribution process as any biochemist or virologist on the planet. “Without a doubt, the vaccine that will end this scourge has and will be brought to you by the skilled craft unions. They are every bit as important as the person working at the lab bench they built,” said Tim Dickson, executive director of the Pharmaceutical Industry Labor-Management Association. For instance, IBEW members have built most, if not all, of the major pharmaceutical and biotech research facilities in the United States. Click here to read more. Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 01/13/2021 - 11:01 Tags: COVID-19, Community Service — Jan 13

We Are Angry: In the States Roundup

We Are Angry: In the States Roundup It's time once again to take a look at the ways working people are making progress in the states. Click on any of the links to follow the state federations on Twitter. Alaska AFL-CIO:

Pres. @vincebeltrami's statement about attempted coup in our nation’s capital: "We. Are. Angry. Angry at an assault on our nation’s hallowed capital and our elected representatives . . .” @lisamurkowski @SenDanSullivan @repdonyoung Read full statement: https://t.co/3SlcsY7TJj pic.twitter.com/7UiQlLiRyf — Alaska AFL-CIO (@AKAFLCIO) January 8, 2021

California Labor Federation:

Late stage capitalism in action. Here's your daily reminder to join your union. https://t.co/BlVyEwJJJS — California Labor Federation (@CaliforniaLabor) January 11, 2021

Connecticut AFL-CIO:

Research shows that unionized health facilities have better patient outcomes and are more likely to correct workplace hazards. Union nursing homes have lower #COVID19 mortality rates, better access to PPE & stronger infection control measures. #JoinAUnion https://t.co/fIEaD9paHO — Connecticut AFL-CIO (@ConnAFLCIO) January 12, 2021

Florida AFL-CIO:

“Three weeks after President Trump moved to extend unemployment benefits, countless Floridians have still not gotten any payments — cutting off a crucial lifeline for workers who lost jobs to the pandemic.”https://t.co/NJVEomO1n7 — Florida AFL-CIO (@FLAFLCIO) January 12, 2021

Georgia State AFL-CIO:

Weekends became lit dropping. Afternoons became postcard writing. Evenings became phone banking. For months, union volunteers and community orgs worked tirelessly to #FlipTheSenate. Why? Because Georgia deserves better. Workers deserve better. We deserve better. And we did this! pic.twitter.com/zN3hD06Dsl — Georgia AFL-CIO (@AFLCIOGeorgia) January 6, 2021

Iowa Federation of Labor:

Attempted Coup an Unconscionable Assault on Democracy https://t.co/9RVwbzq5Km — Iowa AFL-CIO (@IowaAFLCIO) January 7, 2021

Maine AFL-CIO:

A new book chronicles the militancy of Maine paper makers against Wall Street Greed. https://t.co/XQUIwS3RpS #mepolitics #LaborHistory — Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) January 8, 2021

Massachusetts AFL-CIO:

The @massaflcio commends President-Elect @JoeBiden for his nomination of @marty_walsh to the position of Secretary of the Department of Labor. Thread 👇 pic.twitter.com/TlKETdHirW — Massachusetts AFL-CIO // #VotersDecided (@massaflcio) January 8, 2021

Michigan AFL-CIO:

The General Board of the @AFLCIO is calling on Donald Trump to resign or be removed from office at once. Read the full statement 🧵👇 https://t.co/eBTNrJqCyn — Michigan AFL-CIO 😷 (@MIAFLCIO) January 8, 2021

Minnesota AFL-CIO:

MNA Nurses Urge Lawmakers to Pass Emergency Leave Bill https://t.co/JdIliPAckJ #1u #mnleg @mnnurses — Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) January 12, 2021

Missouri AFL-CIO:

Great turnout for the #ResignHawley action today in St. Louis. Senator Hawley Needs to resign following his incitement of insurrection at the Capitol riots. pic.twitter.com/PwGlyBHhpW — Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) January 12, 2021

Nebraska State AFL-CIO:

The 1.6.21 attack on our country is the consequence of a lie by a president who refuses to accept that millions of us turned out to stand with and for each other and elect Joe Biden by overwhelming margins. #RemoveNow — NE State AFL-CIO (@NEAFLCIO) January 12, 2021

New Jersey State AFL-CIO:

2021 is a new year of challenges and opportunities as governmental bodies in Washington and across New Jersey get organized.https://t.co/iSDJ8cItx8 — New Jersey AFL-CIO (@NJAFLCIO) January 11, 2021

New York State AFL-CIO:

History repeats itself: Amid crisis, Cuomo hopes to fuel optimism in State of the State - NY Hero Act, tax increases to support vital services. “This will take bold leadership," Cilento said. https://t.co/en1rIUpjXj via @TheBuffaloNews — NYS AFL-CIO // #VotersDecided (@NYSAFLCIO) January 10, 2021

North Dakota AFL-CIO:

https://t.co/1xyctUmW58 — North Dakota AFL-CIO (@NDAFLCIO) January 8, 2021

Ohio AFL-CIO:

Today, @RichardTrumka laid out the @AFLCIO #WorkerFirstAgenda. See it here:https://t.co/oKotYQCmgB — Ohio AFL-CIO (@ohioaflcio) January 12, 2021

Oklahoma State AFL-CIO:

2021 CLUW QUILT The Greater OKC Chapter is now starting to collect shirts for their 2021 T-Shirt Quilt. They are also accepting donated Local Union Masks to go into the 2021 Quilt. Please send donations to: Central Oklahoma Labor Federation 3400 South Wester Ave OKC OK 73109 — Oklahoma AFL-CIO (@OK_AFL_CIO) January 12, 2021

Oregon AFL-CIO:

It's no surprise to see school staff across the country doing whatever it takes to help students learn in these difficult times.@AFTunion @AFTOregon @OSEA6732 https://t.co/kxzzOkoIqo — Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) January 12, 2021

Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:

It's not enough to call these workers heroes. #StayHome. #StaySafe. #WearAMask . Wash your hands. And, send your thoughts and prayers of Solidarity to those who need it most. @mcallguild https://t.co/YDqE7DifZE — PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) January 11, 2021

Rhode Island AFL-CIO:

#1u #FightFor15 #minimumwage https://t.co/CGS0iWR6cU — Rhode Island AFL-CIO (@riaflcio) January 12, 2021

Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council:

TAKE ACTION! As legislators get to work today at noon, working families are still under attack. Sen. @BrianKelsey's push to enshrine TN's harmful Right to Work law in the state constitution is still underway. Ask your lawmaker to vote "NO" on SJR 0002! https://t.co/GGsEnw2KNH — Tennessee AFL-CIO (@tnaflcio) January 12, 2021

Texas AFL-CIO:

Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy and Secretary-Treasurer Montserrat Garibay posted this statement on Tuesday’s opening of the 87th session of the Texas Legislature. #1u #txlege #FairShot https://t.co/QdcbSMCujF — Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) January 12, 2021

Washington State Labor Council:

The COVID-19 pandemic has made clearer than ever the inequities and unfairness rooted deep in our economy. #waleg #EssentialWorkers https://t.co/gjojF5MZby — Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) January 8, 2021

West Virginia AFL-CIO:

Parkersburg Labor Council AFL-CIO president Andrew Stump: “It’s not just about organizations, it’s about helping the children in our community." 👍👊 https://t.co/KWqhnDwRaz — West Virginia AFLCIO (@WestVirginiaAFL) January 5, 2021

Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:

What can Biden do to reverse Trump's assault on labor rights? https://t.co/NxdEL2vMd2 — WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) January 12, 2021

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 01/13/2021 - 09:07 — Jan 13

Nevada State AFL-CIO

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